Texas drivers reminded to give their full attention to the road
With a crash rate above the national average, Texas roadways can be dangerous - and distracted driving continues to make the situation worse.
To help reduce distracted driving accidents, Texas traffic safety officials are emphasizing the state's "Talk. Text. Crash." campaign for April, which is also National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The campaign seeks to educate drivers about distracted driving and help Texas motorists develop strategies to avoid this type of negligent driving behavior.
At Tracey Fox King & Walters, we would like to see Talk. Text. Crash. have an overall positive impact because crash data shows the need for improvement. For example, in 2017, Texas outlawed texting and driving, a major source of driver distraction. Yet in 2021, nearly 1 in 5 crashes on Texas roads were caused by a distracted driver, in which 431 people died, and 2,934 were seriously injured, according to TxDOT.
During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, our Texas car accident lawyers are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and helping victims impacted by these devastating crashes. If you were injured by a distracted driver in Texas, don't hesitate to contact us for a free case evaluation.
What is distracted driving?
The Texas Department of Transportation's "Talk. Text. Crash." campaign focuses on texting and driving, but there are many ways in which a driver can lose their focus on the road. In addition to cellphones and smartphones, major sources of driver distraction include:
- Eating and drinking.
- Talking to passengers.
- Grooming (combing hair, doing makeup, shaving).
- Reaching for items in the vehicle.
- Day-dreaming.
TxDOT notes that not all technology meant to reduce distracted driving is effective and, therefore, should be avoided. Studies show that voice-to-text programs, hands-free devices, as well as hand-held devices, for example, are all distracting for drivers.
Safe driving tips
Text. Talk. Crash. is part of a larger push to encourage roadway users to make safe decisions - #EndTheStreakTX. The social media campaign emphasizes wearing a seatbelt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
The hashtag - #EndTheStreakTX - refers to Texas' fatal crash record. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways, TxDOT says. The department offers these tips to help reduce the urge to talk and text while driving:
- Always give driving your full attention.
- Pull off the road entirely and come to a complete stop before you talk or text.
- Put your phone away, turn it off, or use an app or phone security settings to block texts and calls and/or send auto-reply texts while driving.
- Tell friends, family, and coworkers you won't respond to calls or texts when you're behind the wheel, and encourage them to do the same.
Hit by a distracted driver? Protect your rights.
If you're injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver in Texas, contact Tracey Fox King & Walters for a free case evaluation. Our experienced car accident lawyers have a proven track record of success in helping Texas crash victims get the justice and financial compensation they deserve.
Whether you were hurt in a rear-end collision, T-bone crash, or a head-on collision, we will work tirelessly to build a strong claim and aggressively advocate for your best interests with the at-fault drivers' insurance company. We also aren't afraid to take your case to court and represent you before a judge and jury, if necessary. Don't wait to get the help you need, contact us today to discuss your potential legal options. We have offices in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.